IDS 3890.001 Interdisciplnary Studies Seminar
3Credit HoursFall 2016
Instructor: Barclay Barrios
Class Periods: WF2:00-3:20
Tel: 561-297-4573
E-Mail:
Classroom:CU 301
Office Hours:W 11:00-1:00, AH 108
Course Description:
This course serves as a core introduction for the Interdisciplinary Studies major. It foreground the process of interdisciplinary knowledge making and trains students in reflective approaches to these studies. It also prepares students for the next stages of their career or education by asking them to consider the ways their unique educational experience can assist them as they continue through the major and move into the job market or pursue further education.
Course Objectives:
Students will leave this seminar with an operative framework for seeing their interdisciplinary work cohesively, solidified research skills, and plans for their future.
By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Articulate the value of interdisciplinary knowledge as reflected in their unique educational experience
- Demonstrate proficiency in research methods
- Demonstrate an ability to prepare basic materials for a job search
- Work effectively in groups
- Communicate ideas clearly orally and in writing
Texts:
- Online readings only
Grading:
Grading will be as follows:
Reflection Papers: 28% (14% each)
Library Research Assignment: 15%
Resume and Cover Letter: 17%
Social Media Portoflio: 5%
Final Essay: 25%
Class Participation: 5%
Group Projects: 5%
Grade Scale:
100-95=A; 94-90=A-; 89-87=B+; 86-84=B; 83-80=B-; 79-77=C+; 76-74=C; 73-70= C-; 69-67= D+; 64-66= D; 63-60=D-; 59-0=F.
Incompletes:
I will not give any Incompletes except under very unusual and verifiable circumstances that follow FAU’s guidelines regarding the possible granting of incompletes for non-academic reasons. The Interdisciplinary Studies policy regarding incompletes is as follows: “Incompletes are rarely given. The purpose of an Incomplete is to allow a student who faces unforeseen and emergency situations to complete work in a course where the student has made satisfactory progress. Incompletes are given at the discretion of the instructor. An Incomplete will appear as an ‘I’ on their transcript, and will be replaced by the final letter grade once the assigned work is completed (but will result in a failure if the work is not completed within the timeframe allotted).”
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), students who require reasonable accommodations due to a disability to properly execute coursework must register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)—in Boca Raton, SU 133 (561-297-3880); in Davie, LA 203 (954-236-1222); or in Jupiter, SR 110 (561-799-8585) —and follow all SAS procedures.
FAU Policy on Plagiarism
Academic Integrity Policy Statement: Students at Florida Atlantic University are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards. Academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, is considered a serious breach of these ethical standards, because it interferes with the University mission to provide a high quality education in which no student enjoys an unfair advantage over any other. Academic dishonesty is also destructive of the University community, which is grounded in a system of mutual trust and places high value on personal integrity and individual responsibility. Harsh penalties are associated with academic dishonesty. For more information, see the Code of Academic Integrity in the University Regulations: http;//
Schedule of Classes
Weeks 1 and 2:Introductions and Interdisciplinarity
Class 1:Introductions and syllabus review
Class 2:What is Interdisciplinarity? Readings on Interdisciplinary Studies
Assignment due in 1 week: Reflection on your interdisciplinary degree
(see assignment sheet from class / bring draft next class)
Class 3:Peer Review session
Class 4:Class presentations on reflections
Reflection 1 Due
Week 3 and 4:Research Project
Class 1:The Special Challenges of Interdisciplinary Research
Online readings and discussion
Class 2:Citation systems and disciplines
Assignment due in 1 week: Research cluster. See assignment sheet.
Class 3:Peer review of research clusters
Class 4:Class presentations on research
Research Cluster Assignment Due
Week 5 and 6:Graduate Study and Further Education
Class 1:Introduction to Graduate School
Online readings on paths to graduate school and graduate school exams
Class 2:Graduate education and the job market
Online readings and discussion
Class 3:Guest speaker
Class 4:Vision boards
Week 7 and 8:The Job Market
Class 1:Resumes and Cover Letters
Assignment: prepare a resume and cover letter
Class 2:Online job sites
Create job site profiles in class
Class 3:Peer review
Class 4:Mock interviews
Resume and Cover Letter Due
Week 9 and 10:Self Marketing and Social Media
Class 1:Social Media and the Job Market: online readings
Class 2:Create social media professional profiles in class
Assignment: Social Media Portfolio
Class 3:Guest speaker: technology and you
Class 4:Group project: social media critique
Social Media Portfolio Due
Week 11 and 12:Civic Mindedness
Class 1:Readings on citizenship, civility, and civic participation
Class 2:Continued discussion of civic participation
Class 3:Weppner Center visit
Volunteer assignment: find a volunteer opportunity and devote a minimum of
8 hours to volunteering
Assignment due at end of term: Reflection paper on volunteer work.
See assignment sheet for details
Class 4:Agora Project guest speaker
Week 13 and 14:Being an Alum
Class 1:Readings on alumni and school relationships
Class 2:Forkas Center visit
Class 3:Guest speakers: FAU Alums
Class 4: Peer review for volunteer work reflection
Week 15 and 16:Final Reflections
Class 1:Life plan project
Reflection 2 (volunteering) due
Class 2:Final essay: in class work
Class 3:Peer review
Class 4:Final matters
Final Essay Due